NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government Setting Up 7 PM MITRA Parks With World Class Infrastructure: The Government has approved setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites (including a Greenfield project in Virudhanagar Tamil Nadu) with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4,445 cr for a period of seven years upto 2027-28. Each park when completed will generate 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employments. In order to implement the PM MITRA Scheme in Virudhnagar, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) i.e. ‘PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Park, Tamil Nadu Limited’ has been incorporated with Government of Tamil Nadu holding 51% stake in the SPV and remaining 49% being held by the Government of India.
2. Bhupender Yadav launches Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav has launched Ideas4LiFE for inviting ideas related to products and services, that induce behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles in the presence of Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh at IIT Delhi. The portal ‘Ideas4Life.nic.in’ will allow participants to submit their ideas and innovations online. This initiative aims to encourage and motivate students, faculty and research scholars to contribute their innovative ideas to the global initiative of Mission LiFE. This is a remarkable opportunity for inspired minds to participate in global movement dedicated to environmental sustainability.
3. Manoj Mittal assumes charge as CMD of SIDBI: Manoj Mittal has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Prior to this appointment, Mittal was Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at government-owned non-banking finance company IFCI. Mittal has replaced S Ramann, who had joined SIDBI in April 2021 for a three-year period. Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB) had, in April this year, recommended the name of Manoj Mittal as CMD of SIDBI. Manoj Mittal joined IFCI in June 2021 after serving SIDBI as its Deputy Managing Director between February 2016 and January 2021.
4. Nine new governors appointed by President: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Governors for Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Article 153 of the constitution provides for a state governor for each state of India. The state governor is the head of the state executive branch. The governors are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Governor can be transferred from one state to another by the President.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India assumes chair of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre: India has assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center for 2024-25 at the meeting of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center held in Bangkok, Thailand. India took over the chairmanship from China, which was the chairman of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center for 2023-24.
2. EAM Jaishankar unveils commemorative postage stamp of Ram Lalla in Laos: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his three-day visit to visit to Laos, unveiled a commemorative postage stamp showcasing the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhya. The set of stamps is the first dedicated to Lord Ram. Two stamps were launched, one representing Lord Buddha from Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, while the other is an image of the Ram Lalla statue from Ayodhya. Buddhism has connected India and Laos for centuries. In Laos, the Ramayana (known as Ramakien or the Story of Phra Lak Phra Ram) holds significant cultural value and is performed during important events. The stamp set’s theme is “Celebrating the shared cultural heritage of Lao PDR and India.”
3. S Jaishankar unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tokyo: A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Tokyo’s Edogawa ward by external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Edogawa ward includes the Nishi-Kasai district, which is home to some 3,000 Indians. The area is also known as “Little India”.
Edogawa ward and its mayor Takeshi Saito decided to build a relationship with India by having a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a park that will be named after him.
4. Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro wins third term as President: Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner in Venezuela’s presidential election. Maduro secured 51% of the vote, overcoming the main Opposition candidate, Edmundo González, who garnered 44%. Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest proven oil reserves and once boasted Latin America’s most advanced economy. But it entered into a free fall after Mr. Maduro took the helm. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages and hyperinflation that soared past 130,000% led first to social unrest and then mass emigration.
5. 29 July – International Tiger Day: International Tiger Day 2024, also called as the Global Tiger Day 2024, is observed every year on July 29. Objective – To raise awareness about the magnificent but endangered animal. The day was first established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit. The summit was conducted to draw the world’s attention towards the drastic decline in tiger populations. This summit brought together governments from tiger-range countries, conservation organizations, and experts to discuss measures to halt the alarming decline in tiger numbers.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India Army off to Mongolia to take part in 21st EX- KHAAN QUEST 2024: A contingent of the Indian Army has departed for Mongolia to participate in the multinational military exercise KHAAN QUEST. The 21st multinational KHAAN QUEST exercise will be held in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 27 July to 9 August 2024. This year, the Indian Army contingent consists of 40 personnel from the Madras Battalion and personnel from other Arms and Services. Three female personnel – one officer and two soldiers are also part of the Indian contingent. Khaan QUEST is an annual multinational military exercise co-sponsored by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces to promote regional peace and security in the region. When the military exercise started in 2003, it was a bilateral military exercise between the United States of American armed forces and the Mongolian defence forces.
2. INS Tabar reaches Saint Petersburg for Russian Navy Day celebrations: Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar arrived at Saint Petersburg to participate in the 328th Russian Navy Day celebration. The ship, part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command, was given a “warm welcome” by the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN). Around 200 ships and boats of various classes are involved in the Naval Parade being held in St. Petersburg.
SPORTS
1. Jiya Rai becomes World’s Youngest & Fastest Female Para Swimmer to Swim Solo Across English Channel: Para swimmer Jiya Rai has become the world’s youngest and fastest female para swimmer to swim solo across the English Channel successfully. The 16-year-old covered the 34 km stretch, from Abbots Cliff in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France, in 17 hours and 25 minutes. She is an international open water para swimmer with a world record in open water swimming. Jiya Rai is a recipient of many international and national awards including the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMB) – 2022 the highest award for citizens below 18 years of Age.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Karnataka Bank partners with ICICI Lombard General Insurance: Karnataka Bank has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd to offer enhanced insurance solutions and customer benefits to its patrons. This tie-up includes health insurance, motor insurance, travel insurance, home insurance catering to the diverse insurance needs of individuals and businesses alike. Further bank is also embarking on digital insurance initiatives which will empower the bank’s customers to conveniently access and manage their insurance policies through digital platforms. This includes online policy purchase, real-time claims processing, and personalized insurance advisory services, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
2. UltraTech acquires 32.7% stake in India Cements for ₹3,945 crore: UltraTech Cement, an Aditya Birla Group flagship, will acquire a 32.72 per cent stake in India Cements for ₹3,945 crore from the company’s promoters and its associates. The country’s largest cement company will make an open offer to India Cements shareholders at ₹390 a share after obtaining all regulatory approvals. The company will soon sign a Share Purchase Agreement with N Srinivasan-led India Cements promoters and their associates before seeking regulatory approvals.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology scientist Dr. S. Sridhar Inducted as a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, London: Sundergopal Sridhar, a Chemical Engineer and Chief Scientist at CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, has been admitted as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London, UK. During his 26 years as a research scientist, Dr. Sridhar has developed and transferred several technologies for chemical & allied industries, besides contributing immensely to societal welfare. Sridhar has published 181 research papers in reputed international journals with an h-index of 53. He is ranked among the Top 2% of Scientists worldwide by Stanford University, USA, and Elsevier Science Publishers in 2021, 2022 & 2023. He has 15 patents, 4 Books, and 50 Book Chapters to his credit.
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